Flash flooding forces evacuation at Wye River on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the Wye River camping ground after a severe thunderstorm caused flash flooding on Victoria’s south-west coast, closing the Great Ocean Road and washing cars and caravans out to sea. An emergency warning covered the Wye, Kennett and Cumberland rivers after thunderstorms dumped more than 170mm of rain on Thursday afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology had issued a midday warning for severe thunderstorms likely to produce heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding, and more than 175mm was recorded in the six hours to 3pm at nearby Mount Cowley. A video posted on social media showed a 4WD being carried away by a raging current.

Patrice Capogreco, who was camping at the BIG4 Wye River Holiday Park with her two daughters, said tents leaked, trees were falling and a grassy area turned into a fast-moving river. Staff advised campers to climb to higher ground and the Country Fire Authority evacuated about 500 people to the Wye River pub.

Capogreco said: "We've lost everything, you can see caravans and cars floating away." She also said emergency notifications arrived about 30 minutes after they evacuated. By Thursday evening the Great Ocean Road was closed in both directions from Skenes Creek Rd in Skenes Creek to Fairhaven; Transport Victoria said the closure was due to "extreme weather, flooding and possible land slips" and urged motorists to avoid the area.

Key Topics

World, Wye River, Great Ocean Road, Country Fire Authority, Mount Cowley